June 11-12, 2005 Treasure Island Cruise Treasure Island Yacht Club

(If you like, you can skip down through the prose and go straight to the pictures below!)

It was hard to tell who were the kids when it came time for the Treasure Island Cruise dinghy races! Nine boats with at least eight kids, five inflatables, one fatty knees and one kayak provided plenty of fun. Then all adjourned to the TI Yacht Club for a satisfying potluck - topped off with hand made ice cream!

But it all started on Friday afternoon when Smokey & Laurie Stover, with Smokey's grandson Troy aboard anchored their Freeport 36 Evanescence in Clipper Cove. They were joined for the night by Ron & Karen Damsen who anchored Woodbine nearby and hosted a fine lasagna dinner, complete with the first sampling of their fabulous frosted carrot cake-cookies.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning when Dennis, Judy & Matt Bush arrived in Clipper Cove and dropped Natural High's anchor safely off the sand beach. Smokey & Laurie Stover moved Evanescence in to the guest dock and John Melton rafted up Freedom Won alongside. Nanci Melton and Dennis arrived in mid-afternoon. Michael, Jean, Christopher, and Andrew Jefferies, with friend Sam also aboard, dropped Nantucket's anchor farther out, beyond Gary & Pat Slavo's Ophira. Lou & Diane Zevanov took a slip for Diana to accomodte the evening arrival of son Steve & wife Jena and the kids. Rick Van Mell tied Vanishing Animal across the dock from Evanescence, and Tim & Ian Shea then rafted Lean Times outboard of Rick. Don & Barb Henderson, representing Kindred Spirits, arrived by car in time for the great dinner gathering.

All hands gathered on the dock for the promised dinghy races - including the Zevanov's fine hard "fatty knees" dinghy and the Jefferies Kayak. As you can see in the pictures, a great time was had by all. Rules? Well, you had to leave each of the three marks on one side going out and the other coming back - but you could go either way around. Naturally that led to great fun, fending, feuding and fussing before all hands were safely back to the finish line.

While some headed back to their boats to gather and warm potluck dinner contributions, the rest gathered on the dock and washed down hors d'oeuvres spread between Evanescence and Vanishing Animal with the fruit of the grape. By the time all had come ashore with their goodies it was approaching 1800 and the whole gang adjourned to the welcome confines of the Treasure Island yacht club.

What TIYC lacks in facilities (no running water!) was far outweighed by their gracious hospitality provided by barmaid Jennifer Smith, Joyce Waters, Ken & Yvonne McBain and Jerry and Karen Huff. Flags and pictures decorate their walls and the tempting aroma of fresh popcorn encouraged all to patronize the bar while lining up our food dishes on the sideboard. Once Dennis had grilled up a hugh plate of hot dogs, and with all hands happy and relazed, the attack on the food began. As usual there was plenty to go around for all, including our TI host crew. Hand mde ice cream, cranked mostly by the Nantucket boys and Troy, was served with strawberries to finish off a great meal.

Sunday we awoke to a warm and quiet morning- a perfect day for scouring the tide line and playing beach games. The dingy crews came ashore about 0930. Andrew Jefferies and Ian Shea collected sea shells while Troy dug deep into the sand and discovered a baby lobster. Christopher and Sam made "sand angels" and snooped around a tied up hobbie cat near the rocks.

Bird identification books, a half a dozen bay duck skulls were on hand for everyone to examine and compare. Then it was time for the adults to have fun. An exciting game of "toss the shark" had Andrew throwing (he has a good arm) rubber sharks in the air for the bucket- holding crowd to catch. Dennis and Matt Bush hold the record for the most sharks caught. The Damsons, Salvos, Meltons, Jefferies and Stovers spent the rest of the morning relaxing on the beach watching our "Islander lads" at play.

Then, one by one, we headed home. Another great weekend - and compliments to our Treasure Island hosts and organizers Dennis & Judy Bush and Laurie and Smokey Stover.

Pictures compliments of Smokey Stover, Lou Zevanov, Ron Damsen and Rick Van Mell.

Pirate Ship Royaliste fresh from an attack...	on a schooner in Racoon Straits	Evanesence	Ophira & Nantucket
Natural HIgh	Ophira Anchoring	Docksiders	Natural High Dennis & Judy Bush
Woodbine Ron & Karen Damsen	Ophira Gary & Pat Salvo	Nantucket Michael & Jean Jefferies	Diana Lou & Diane Zevanov
Blasting Bushes	Smile	Dashing Damsens	Troy & Smokey
Dinghy sailors come ashore	Michael Jefferies comes ashore	Karen & Ron Damsen	Bush island!
Smokey_Troy_Laurie	Dockside chatter	"Let's go this way"	Deer in the headlights!
Just a pretty Islander	Dennis is happy	The Volga boatman!	Michael is FAST!
Decorated ladies	Troy takes a turn	Getting ready to rumble	The gang's all here
Diane Zevanov loses...	her balloon that heads ...	for the new bridge!	Very disappointed.
It was THIS big!	Ian & Tim Shea ready to race	Practice bumping	The race is on!
Which way'd they go?	A victory lap!	Captain John ...	and Nanci paddle
Fatty Knees in the lead	Kids (?) at play	Room at the mark!!!	Heading for home
Prepare to board	Here did HE come from?	Going for speed	Who has rights?
Bush Brigade	Troy tries 'em all	Rick & Patrick ...	cross the line.
Round again	Crew change	Troy on the move	The winners!
Old Salt John Melton	Michael, Karen & Smokey	Inside TI Yacht Club	The working end!
Barb Henderson knows how to relax!	Lou Z., Dennis & Judy Bush	Jean Jefferies & Christopher with Matt Bush	Ian & Smokey's grandson & sea critters
Fast movin' Smokey	Lou Zevanov & Karen Damsen	Jennifer Smith serves Judy & Pat	The great Ti crew
Chow time	Troy is ready to EAT!	Dennis & the kids	Homemade ice cream!
Laurie adds ice & salt	Sam is cranking away	Andrew Jefferies watches	Yummy!
Ready to serve	View from TIYC	Evening beachcombers	Beautiful bedtime
I think I left the dinghy ...	A quiet Saturday night	Just another average day in paradise	That you Lou?!
Sunday morning ...	it's Beach time	First landings	Gathering crowd
Still civilized!	Having fun	Fun in the sun	Beach-side treasure
Diane Z explores ...	the Admiral's house.	A beautiful morning	Vanishing Animal departs
Looking east	At ease	The city.	Dennis is farewell escort.